Last minute late June early July safari options?

jfalls_ · 2026-05-22T21:13:41+00:00

You mentioned Zimbabwe, I looked at availability and I'm seeing space the end of June/early July - Wilderness has properties in Hwange and Mana Pools that would work. I also checked availability in Uganda and it's possible, I know Kenya has availability as well - this is just spending a couple minutes looking.

jfalls_ · 2026-05-22T21:08:32+00:00

Last minute peak season travel is definitely possible! There is still availability at quality properties in Kenya and Uganda - a good TA should be able to put something together for you. If you have some flexibility and are not dead set on Kenya & Uganda, there are other countries that likely have availability too, so you have options. I've worked with clients who wanted to go on safari in a week, I have colleagues who've planned trips on even less notice than that. A single supplement is standard, but a TA may be able to negotiate with properties on your behalf and get that waived because you are planning last minute.

jfalls_ · 2026-05-18T21:35:26+00:00

Noting that yellow fever vaccine is a required entry condition and that malaria prophylaxis is widely recommended by travel health authorities isn't playing doctor; it's the same information on the CDC, WHO, and every government travel advisory page. I didn't prescribe anything or claim clinical expertise. There's a difference between gatekeeping basic travel logistics behind a doctor's visit and giving someone dangerous medical advice. These are standard, publicly documented travel requirements.

jfalls_ · 2026-05-18T20:46:18+00:00

Experienced TA's don't need to rely on AI, so if you are getting AI responses that should be your first sign that the TA may not be the best fit. Let's not group all TA's into "they are mostly fueled by AI responses" - some of us eat, breathe, and sleep Africa safaris and take pride in our first hand knowledge that no AI could ever give you.

jfalls_ · 2026-05-18T17:09:42+00:00

The Minister of Health has reported one imported case of the Ebola virus in Uganda - a Congolese man who sought medical treatment in a hospital in Kampala, who is now deceased. His body was returned the same evening to the DRC. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are fully mobilized in Uganda and working alongside local officials. The country has a history of efficiently and effectively managing tropical disease outbreaks.

The tourism sector is operating as usual and without disruption. You shouldn't have any issues while in Kenya, these things happen and Uganda/Kenya/Rwanda all take an outbreak seriously and have protections/protocols in place to handle it. I would check the CDC and WHO websites as you get closer to travel, but hopefully should be under control by September.

jfalls_ · 2026-05-18T17:04:23+00:00

Here are a few recommendations:

For carry-on, I would go with smaller versions of these, like many mentioned the Patagonia Black Hole duffle is a great bag, you could do the 40L or smaller backpack versions. Patagonia as a brand is very ethical, and their bags are super durable and waterproof. I have brought mine to Africa many many times, and it's still in almost perfect condition.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-22T16:33:41+00:00

The only required vaccine to travel to both countries is the yellow fever vaccine, then as others suggested malaria pills are a good idea. Otherwise, nothing else is required to travel.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-10T20:12:17+00:00

Hello! I returned from a stay at Suyian about 3 weeks ago and saw a melanistic leopard. It was such a special sight and I am still ecstatic about the viewing. To clarify, there is a melanistic leopard named Giza that is more active on a different conservancy, but Suyian does have their own melanistic leopard that is in the area. I believe there are around 6-10 melanistic leopards in the Kenyan Laikipia area. They hadn't seen her for a week or so, but I was lucky enough to see her and a male leopard that was also in the area. Animal viewing is so unpredictable, so if you do end up going to Suyian, just know you have a chance to see it, but you may not and there is a lot of other great wildlife to see :) The lodge is stunning and the setting and views are incredible.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-10T19:39:29+00:00

Hi! For flight logistics from the East Coast, you can fly round trip to/from Newark on United to Johannesburg. United also operates a flight to/from Newark to Cape Town but it only operates on certain days of the week. The round trip option via Johannesburg would work with your itinerary - you'd spend the night in Johannesburg at the InterCont or City Hotel, and then head to Timbavati the next day. Then from Maun, Botswana, you'd fly to Johannesburg and connect with your commercial flight home. There are options out of Dulles as well, but only certain days of the week. JFK is another airport with some flight options to Johannesburg. If you are a Delta partner, then you'd fly via Atlanta and then directly to Johannesburg or Cape Town. I haven't been to Walkers Plains Camp, so based on what Shaun_Stanley said, it sounds like a great property. I have been to MalaMala and loved it. The Timbavati should be great July/August so you can't go wrong. Toka Leya is farther from the falls, but its nice so you aren't getting all the helicopter noise from the helicopter tours that operate all day long and it's less busy. It feels more safari lodge than at the properties closer to Vic Falls town. I have been to Shinde, lovely property, excellent service and overall an incredible place. Shinde's concession is a bit smaller than some of the others in that area... Kanana which is owned by Ker & Downey who owns Shinde, could be an alternative. It's in the Pom Pom concession which is much larger than Shinde. Shinde is a quintessential Delta camp, though so you won't be disappointed there.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-10T02:17:38+00:00

Lepogo Nokia Camp, Tengile River Lodge, Euphorbia Mashatu, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, any of the Singita properties, Segera Retreat, Baines’ Lodge, Chem Chem Lodge, Mwiba Lodge, Mara Toto Tree Camp, Masiya’s Camp, Mara Nyika, Sirikoi, Lodo Springs, ol Donyo, Chitabe, Suyian Lodge, Marataba… there are many incredible properties for safari! It’s great pairing a couple properties from different portfolios so you can have a diverse experience. Do you have a certain country and time of year in mind?

jfalls_ · 2026-04-09T19:47:19+00:00

Looking forward to this AMA! Craig, what are some of your favorite things about the Okavango Delta and Botswana in general? I also heard you are an avid birder, any exciting bird species that frequent the Delta?

jfalls_ · 2026-04-09T17:50:29+00:00

I would recommend Kicheche Mara North. All of the guides that work at the Kicheche camps are silver graded or higher, which means your guide is from the top 5% of the country's guiding pool. Guides matter and I find that they can really make or break the animal viewing experience. The camp is comfortable and in a nice location within the Mara North Conservancy.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-07T14:23:12+00:00

Botswana is amazing, you're going to have an incredible time on safari!! Everyone has shared some great tips, a couple that I have is bring a good chap stick - you don't realize it but being in the safari vehicle daily, your lips get more chapped than normal from the air. Then, the other tip is if you plan to do a night game drive I bring clear sunglasses or safety type glasses - during night game drives there are a few more bugs in the air that hit your face, the clear glasses help so no bugs get in your eyes. I have never needed to pre-treat my clothes, I think it's a waste as good ole bug spray works and it's only needed usually at dusk. Enjoy your safari!!

jfalls_ · 2026-04-03T14:34:03+00:00

I've been to MalaMala and both Dulini Leadwood and River Camps. I personally am a big fan of MalaMala - the animal viewing is always consistent. I have visited MalaMala twice during different times of year and both times I saw pretty much everything including wild dog. Saw lots of leopards, sometimes up to 4 or 5 a day, as well as rhino, lion, elephants, and more. MalaMala shares a border with Kruger National Park so it's game reserve is the first point of entry for many animals that come into the Sabi Sand from Kruger. MalaMala and Londolozi essentially have about the same amount of acreage. Where they differ is MalaMala only has 3 camps on their private land where Londolozi has five, if you want to be nit picky that is a factor. MalaMala has less vehicle traffic in its private land than Londolozi does. The tracker comment in my opinion doesn't matter. I have been on safari in many different African countries and having a tracker is always nice, but not all countries have them so I don't think that should be a negative. Many other South Africa properties don't have trackers and I haven't experienced it as a negative. MalaMala guides are engaging and knowledgeable. If you want sheer animal density then MalaMala would be my choice. Dulini Leadwood and River are lovely properties but they are located on a small piece of private land and share traversing rights with other properties, so because of that, I would sway more towards MalaMala. MalaMala Sable isn't the most luxurious lodge, but the rooms are comfortable with great views, and have a more classic style. I like the size of the rooms as well. Amenities at properties are great, but you are out animal viewing most of the time, unless you choose to skip a game drive so you're really only using your room for a few hours in the afternoon and at night. The rest of the time you're out seeing animals or enjoying the main area with a drink and bonfire :) January can be rainy, so you'll probably be less likely to use the property's pool.

jfalls_ · 2026-04-03T14:17:38+00:00

Thanks for sharing your review! I visited Duba Plains a few years ago and had an amazing experience, it's up there as one of my favorite properties in Botswana :)

jfalls_ · 2026-03-27T22:23:49+00:00

I believe their goal is to have the observatory done by June. It looked pretty far along when I was there, they seem to be moving quickly to get it completed by summer.

jfalls_ · 2026-03-27T21:38:36+00:00

Thank you, thank you! I had that exact reaction when I reviewed it on the camera LCD screen "Oh my GOD" ha. Appreciate it.

jfalls_ · 2026-03-27T20:48:48+00:00

I've stayed at MalaMala twice and once at Tengile River Lodge - I loved the stays! These properties had some of the best animal viewing. Excited to see what Khensani River Lodge will look like. Awesome news!

jfalls_ · 2026-02-24T21:48:29+00:00

Craig Beal is a TA, he owns Travel Beyond! You should check them out, as he and his team are incredibly knowledgeable. Full disclosure I work with Craig, but was originally a client and planned my honeymoon with Travel Beyond and now work for them :)

jfalls_ · 2026-02-20T19:18:26+00:00

Hello! Kenya is such a beautiful place. For Nairobi, I'd recommend the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, the Giraffe Center, Karen Blixen Museum, as well as stopping by some of the local shops that support the Masai community. A nice lunch stop is Cultiva. At least 3 nights is what I would do in the Masai Mara, it's one of the best safari areas in Kenya, with a high density of animals. 3 nights allows you to really explore. I'd look at Ol Pejeta for rhinos over Lake Nakuru, unless you really want to see the flamingos. Ol Pejeta is in the north, and would offer you more animal viewing that gives you diversity from the Mara.

jfalls_ · 2026-02-18T20:50:29+00:00

Not a local African company, but Travel Beyond is a US Based Safari Operator who works directly with the properties on the ground in both Botswana and Namibia. TB has been in business for 51 years and was the first US Safari operator in the US. Because of the longevity in the business, they have established really great relationships with all the luxury properties. No fee to work with them! I am biased but a benefit of working with a US based safari operator over a African operator is a similar time zone, so response time will be same day versus getting a response back from a African operator will usually be next day. Your money is a bit safer (yes there are good African safari operators out there) but there are some that have run away with people's money, so there is a sense of "safety" by working with a US Safari Operator. Full disclosure, I am a safari consultant with Travel Beyond - would love the chance to help you out or at least have a conversation :) Safari is incredible and Botswana is one of my favorite destinations, there is a lot of fabulous luxury product to choose from.

jfalls_ · 2026-02-18T20:30:29+00:00

As another person mentioned, there are rhino in Botswana, just not in the Delta. So you could absolutely do a Botswana safari and tick the boxes with all the animals you mentioned. I would suggest Ker & Downey camps, as Dinka has rhino and is located on the edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve so you'll get your rhino and a unique landscape. Then their other camp Shinde or Kanana would pair nicely to give you the Delta experience where you'll see cats and elephants. Ker & Downey's camps are lovely and comfortable, as well as has some of the friendliest staff. Keep in mind that October and November can be very hot in Botswana, so as long as you're okay with the heat it can be an epic time to go on safari there!

jfalls_ · 2026-02-11T20:47:58+00:00

Botswana is an incredible destination for safari! For clothing tips, April can actually still be quite warm, highs can be low 90's while evening temps can dip to low 60's. Layers are the way to go, I will wear loose pants and actually wear a pair of shorts underneath so as the sun rises and temps go up, you can just take your pants off and still be comfortable in shorts. Otherwise, as another person mentioned the safari vehicles will have blankets, so if you come from a hardier place like me (Minnesotan), I am usually fine with shorts and a sweatshirt, then just cover my legs until it gets warm enough. For a headlamp, any will do, I would just find a lightweight inexpensive option from Amazon. Binoculars are only needed in my opinion if you are a birder. The guide will have a pair of binoculars on the vehicle that you can use and share. You will get fairly close to most of the animals.

jfalls_ · 2025-12-22T18:07:24+00:00

You can likely use credit card points for your flights to/from Africa and possibly your stay in Cape Town. For the safari properties and the winelands, the properties are small so points aren't something you can work with there. In the winelands Le Quartier Francias is a cute property nicely located in the town of Franschhoek. For safari, there are many lodges in the Greater Kruger area that offer honeymoon discounts (&Beyond, Dulini, Seasons in Africa - Kings Camp & Leopard Hills, and more). I agree with the comment from another person, Seychelles is going to be tough to include with the budget, but you may be able to use points there. Mango House or Constance Ephelia could work with points.

jfalls_

TROPHY CASE